116 WKITINGS OF JOSEPH HENRY. [1855- 



readily decompose it into its constituents, but it is impossible 

 so to arrange the atoms artificially, as in the ordinary cases 

 of chemical manipulation, to produce a substance in any 

 respect similar to sugar. When the attempt is made, the 

 atoms arrange themselves spontaneously into a greater num- 

 ber of simpler and smaller groups or molecules than is found 

 in sugar, which is composed of molecules of high order, each 

 containing no less than 45 atoms of carbon oxygen and 

 hydrogen. 



The organic molecules, (or atoms, as they are called) are 

 built up under the influence of the vital principle, from infe- 

 rior groups of simple elements. These organic molecules are 

 first produced in the leaves of the plant under the influence 

 of light, and subsequently go through various changes in 

 connection with the vital process. After they are once formed 

 in this way, they may be combined and re-combined by dif- 

 ferent processes in the laboratory, and a great variety of new 

 compounds artificially produced from them. 



But what is this vital principle which thus transcends the 

 sagacity of the chemist and produces groups of atoms of a 

 complexity far exceeding his present skill? It is generally 

 known under the name of the "vital /orce"; but sinne the 

 compounds which are produced under its influence are sub- 

 ject to the same laws as those produced by the ordinary chem- 

 ical forces, though differing in complexity; and since in pass- 

 ing from an unstable to a more stable condition in the form 

 of smaller groups they exhibit, as will be rendered highly 

 probable hereafter, an energy just equivalent to the power 

 exerted by the sunbeam under whose influence they are 

 produced, it is more rational to suppose that they are the 

 result of the ordinary chemical forces acting under the direc- 

 tion of what we prefer to call the vital principle. This is cer- 

 tainly not ii force, in the ordinary acceptation of the term, or 

 in that in which we confine this expression to the attractions 

 and repulsions with which material atoms appear to be pri- 

 marily endowed. It does not act in accordance with the re- 

 stricted and uniform laws which govern the forces of inert 

 matter, but with fore-thought, making provision far in ad- 



